Which survey cohort do I belong to?
The Student Life Cycle Panel comprises various respondent groups - in addition to students with a higher education entrance qualification and university graduates, for example, also students with a vocational qualification, international and non-traditional students. Information on this and an overview of all cohorts surveyed can be found below.
The Student Life Cycle Panel is a study that surveys a graduating cohort of university-eligible individuals (e.g., from grammar schools, comprehensive schools, or vocational schools) as well as university graduates (e.g., from universities, universities of applied sciences, or private universities) for the first time every four years.
Regardless of whether a (further) course of study, employment, vocational training, or parental leave follows after the respective graduation, we accompany our survey participants over several years to learn more about their educational decisions, life circumstances, and career paths. The survey thus includes: employed individuals, (international) students, trainees, people in further education, and individuals in other activities (family work, internships, unemployment, etc.).
The following cohorts are currently being surveyed by us (or these surveys are planned):
Cohort 2018
- University-eligible individuals of the examination year 2018
- International students
- Students through vocational qualification/entrance examination
Additionally, parallel surveys of the following groups:
- International students
- Students with vocational qualifications
The first survey took place six months before obtaining the university entrance qualification - around December 2017.
Up to 4 surveys of this cohort have already been conducted.
Cohort 2021
University graduates of the examination year 2021
The first survey took place one to one and a half years after the completion of the studies – around December 2022.
There has already been 1 survey of this cohort.
Cohort 2022
- University-eligible individuals of the examination year 2022
- International students
- Students via vocational qualification/entrance examination
Additionally, parallel surveys of the following groups:
- International students
- Students with vocational qualifications
The first survey took place six months before obtaining the university entrance qualification – around December 2021.
Up to 2 surveys of this cohort have already been conducted.
Cohort 2025
University graduates of the
examination year 2025
The first survey will take place one to one and a half years after the completion of the studies – around December 2026.
You belong to another survey cohort, if...
- you were already surveyed by us before obtaining your university entrance qualification and then completed your studies, it is possible that you belong to two survey cohorts.
- you are a student through vocational qualification/entrance examination or an international student and have already participated in the survey "Student Survey in Germany," it is possible that you were not assigned to your university graduation cohort.
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Current information and contacts for your survey cohort can be found under the menu item "Surveyed Cohorts".
If you have difficulty determining your cohort or finding information about it,
we are happy to assist you.
Simply contact us by email:: slc@dzhw.eu
Befragungsgruppen
Students eligible for higher education
People who attain eligibility for higher education in the chosen graduation year through general education (e.g. at a "Fachoberschule", a "Fachgymnasium", a "Gymnasium" or a "Fachschule") or vocational schooling. The first survey is conducted half a year before their graduation.
College and University graduates
People who acquired their first occupationally qualifying degree or masters degree at a german, officially recognized university or university of applied sciences in the chosen graduation year. The first conducted one to one and a half years after their graduation.
Students through occupational qualification or entrance exam
Persons who attained eligibility to higher education through an additional occupational qualification, through concluded vocational training with subsequent job experience, or through an entrance exam. They have not previously achieved eligibility via school qualification (e.g. at a "Gymnasium") and have been enrolled at an officially recognized university or university of applied sciences.